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Sharks player ratings vs Leinster | 2025/26 URC
By Ian Cameron at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sharks player ratings: The Sharks came to Dublin with intent but left with bruised egos and one try to show for it.
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Their defensive lineout was a shambles, the scrum inconsistent, and their defence — at times — as charitable as a Christmas appeal. Still, a few individuals can hold their heads up in a 31-5 defeat to a ruthless Leinster.
1. Simphiwe Matanzima – 6
An even enough battle at the set piece. Penalised once but worked hard around the park, one of the few Sharks forwards to make consistent ground.
2. Fez Mbatha – 6.5
Tackled himself into the turf, often the last line of resistance in that opening 40. Threw straight but didn’t get much joy from a malfunctioning lineout.
3. Ruan Dreyer – 5
Couldn’t make much dent in rookie McCarthy and coughed up a few penalties that sucked any momentum out of the Sharks’ attacks. Outshone when Koch came on.
4. Vincent Tshituka – 6
Got an early talking-to from the ref for Sharks infringements and never really looked comfortable playing out of position. Put in a shift, though, and at least didn’t go hiding.
5. Marvin Orie – 4
His missed tackle on Van der Flier for the try was a lowlight, and there were others. Not the leadership display the Sharks needed from their senior lock.
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6. Phepsi Buthelezi – 6.5
Powerful and abrasive. Popped up in good spots and was one of the few who looked up for the physical scrap. Faded as the game wore on.
7. Emmanuel Tshituka – 6
Busy and combative without being particularly effective. Carried plenty but offered little penetration against a watertight Leinster defence.
8. Nick Hatton – 4
A seat-belt tackle on Gunne was about as notable as it got. Another lineout mess-up that gifted Leinster a try at the death summed up his night.
9. Jaden Hendrikse – 5
Box-kicked well early on but offered little spark around the fringes. Defence too loose around the ruck.
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10. Jean Smith – 7
A few rough edges but didn’t shy away. Took the ball flat, asked questions of the Leinster defence, and held his nerve under the high ball. Plenty of promise amid the wreckage.
11. Makazole Mapimpi – 4
Hardly involved and looked disinterested for large patches. One of the game’s great finishers, but this wasn’t one for the scrapbook.
12. Lukhanyo Am – 5
Beaten too easily in defence for O’Brien’s try and rarely offered the creative spark that once made him world-class.
13. Jurenzo Julius – 7.5
“The Boogeyman” finally came alive after the break, making a 30-metre burst that rattled Leinster. Along with Hooker, one of the few Sharks who genuinely troubled the hosts with ball in hand.
14. Ethan Hooker – 8
A big, physical presence who hounded Leinster from the off and took his try with genuine authority. Faded a touch late on, but comfortably the Sharks’ best performer and their only consistent threat in contact.
15. Edwill van der Merwe – 6
Had his moments, particularly with a few dangerous carries, but positional play and kicking let him down. Mixed bag.
Replacements:
16. Bongi Mbonambi – 6
Brought leadership and a rare sense of calm. The lineout actually started functioning when he arrived but must take his share of the blame for the mess-up that gave Leinster a late 5-pointer.
17. Dian Bleuler – 6
Didn’t offer much beyond set-piece parity.
18. Vincent Koch – 6.5
Stabilised the scrum and added some much-needed grunt. Immediate improvement when he came on.
19. Bathobele Hlekani – 5
Came on, tackled a few bodies, but couldn’t shift the tide.
20. Tinotenda Mavesere – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
21. Ross Braude – 5
Energetic at the base but lacked the control needed to steady things.
22. Siya Masuku – 5
Injected a touch more composure at ten but the game was long gone by then.
23. Francois Venter – 5
Came on, chased shadows, and left with little to show for it.